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The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 1994-08-06

The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 1994-08-06 page 1

^ L |__ k / ! S ?bE SepDrter tg? ;| ' | " ^ ^ Jjf/kl l7jkr Da.knr, J ? Akron ? Canton ? Cincinnati ? Cleveland ? Columbus ? Elyria ? Lorain ? Mansfield ? Obeiiin ? Ravenna ? Sandinky - '.Varren ? Youngstown ? Northeast Ohio VOL. XXV NO. 41 AUGUST6,1994 THRU AUGUST 1J, 1994 ?? r-rwxc hi d r r>n* ^^^^UNC^Walk^-Thoi^^^^^ I Mb ^ . . . -r . I Cleveland business leaders, along with hundreds or community supporters gathered at the Cleveland Mctropark Zoo to "Walk a Mile to Save a Mind" for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The annual walk, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch Companies, is one of many fund-raisers the company sponsors to benefit the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon. Proceeds assist UNCF and its 41-mcmbcr schools, including Wilbcrforcc University. Congratulating each other on a successful walk-a-thon (from left) arc: Barn Withers, executive assistant, office of Mayor Michael White; Mike Jones, corporate affairs central region manager, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Gail Boone, UNCF development directors, and William E. MacDonald, president and CEO, National Bank. AKA Executive Director Dr Eva L. Evans, deputy superintendent of the Lansing. Michigan public schools, is the new chief executive of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA). Inc. America's first Grcct-lctlcrcd organization for Black women She became president of the 130.(KM)-member-association at the close of its 56th national convention, held earlier this month in Indianapolis, In. As part of the seven-day conference, AKA also burned a $3.5 million mortgage on its international headquarters, donated $50,000 to the United Negro College Fund, awarded $40,000 in scholarships, show - eased award winning programs, presented biennial and annual awards, and inducted honorary members. Dr. Evans was a board of chapter officer prior to her election as AKA's first vice president in July. 1990, and has I spent the past four years pre- | paring for iicr automatic ascension She holds a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University, and master's and doctorate degrees from Michigan State University. Well known in academic circles. Dr Evans has served as a resource consultant for both the U.S. Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Education. She regularly pro\ ides insight on varied educational topics, including leadership management. effective schools, and educational management systems.Continued to Page 3 Dr. Eva L. Evans directors member, national committee chairman, and Truck Rolls Into Canal Two City of Akron workers nearly diverted a tragedy when a sewer Hcamn^nick sli|ipcd into the Ohio Canal near Channclwood Village. The two men heard a Inudamp and the clang of the truck brakes falling off w hile they were working behind the truck. sBnth men barely had time to jump out of the way while the sis ton truck rolled hackward^ito the canal*. Miraculously, Mike Roger suffered minor injuries, was treated and rcleas^Huni Akron General Medical Center. An alert camera woman, Michelle Oden, captured toirfSfcspnpanics pulling out the truckler the Thornton Street Bridge on Wednesday, August jTlW*. BLACK HUSBANDS, WIVES KILLING AT EQUAL RATES According to a recently released Justice Department study on domestic violence. African American husbands and wives arc killing one another at relatively equal rales The study found that in 53% of cases it was the husband killing the wile while in the remaining 47% it was the wife willing the husband. These percentages stand in contrast to those for white couples where nearly 70% of homicides involve tlie husband killing the wife. The report als revealed that women arc more likely than men to kill their children In fact, killing children is the only homicide categoiy in which women kill at a higher rate than men Interesting, when parents kill, men where about equally likely to kill a son or a daughter, but women were much more likely to kill a son than a daughter The study "Murder In Families" was based on an analysis of8.000 homicides in 75 metropolitan areas aituiLS atuotsi BLACKS EAT MORE FRUITS & VEGETABLES A scries of recent studies it is strongly advisable that American blacks add more fruits and vegetables tot heir diets. A four year study published List week in the New England Journal of Medicine found that vitamins C. E ana beta carotene found in fruits and vegetables significantly reduced the risks for certain types of cancels while the high fat content of many "soul" food diets raised those risks Another recent study (from the Center for Disease Control) found that black women arc the group in America most likely to be overweight In fact, the study concluded that nearly 49% of African American women are 20% or more above ideal weight Interestingly, black males were among those least likely to be obese Obesity is thought to increase one's risk for heart disease. Experts believe cutting back on land-.inimal meats and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as fish will also help combat the problem of obesity. AUGUST 29 SENTENCING SET FOR SURGEON GENERAL'S SON An August 29th sentencing date has been set for the son of Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders Kevin Elders was recently convicted of selling $275 y rth of cocaine to a police undercover officer. For that olksc he could get as much as life in prison Elders created a natfcial controversy earlier this year when she suggested that national study the legalisation of drugs. She said, "I do feel it would markedly reduce our crime rate in drugs are legalized." Others have argued that the war against drugs unfairly targets blacks and that the sentences are completely out of proportion to the seriousness of the crime, the prosecutor says he will seek a 10 year sentence MFUME'S SON ARRESTED ON RAPE CHARGE Michael Miiime - son ol' Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Kwcisi Mfumc is free on hail this week after being arrested on a charge of raping a woman in the Atlanta area after a date The elder Mfume would only say, "I believe he will be found innocent." The younger Mfumc denied the charge. No information was released about (he woman who made the allegation BLACKS IN AMERICA According to the US Census Bureau, half of the nation's African Americans live in the South. And. blacks are more than twice as likely than the rest of the population to live in central cities RICK JAMES GOES JAIL Soul and "funk" singer Rick James was sentenced to five years in prison last week after ajudgc rejected a plea to re-enter a drug rehabilitation center. Tnc 46-year-old James had been found guilty of holding a woman against her will and forcing her to perform sex acts with another woman during a five-day binge James could be released in as little as two years. His most famous hit was the 1981 song'Superfreak." OPRAH WINFREY STAYS NUMBER ONE IN TALK SHOWS According to the latest Louis Harris poll. Oprah Winfrey in America's favorite talk-show host She had a popularity rating nearly twice that of the show which came in second place - David Letterman. This is the third consecutive year that Winfrey has placed first among talk-show hosts. However, the Winfirey-typc show has come in for criticism recently. Two Penn State University researchers say the talk-shows are harming America by paying too much attention to deviant behavior DISTINGUISHED AMERICANS On Aug. 8. 1994 President Clinton will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor to nine distinguished Americans. Two of the recipients are African American women Dorothy Height is the head of the National Council of Negro Women. As a civil rights activist for half a century. Ms Height is being recognized for her work to educate and empower women and African Americans. According to tltc White House, "Ms Height can claim a role in virtually every victory of the Civil Rights Movement, and continues to strive to combat violent crime against children." Barbara Jnrd.ni is being honored for "Her work to advance civil rights and ethics in government through her service as a Congresswoman and a professor." Currently a ressor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Government at University of Texas. Jordan also serves on numerous corporate boards of directors in spite of being confined to a wheelchair. Other recipients included: Lane Kirkland. president of the AFL-CIO: Herbert Block, a cartoonist known as Herblock; Cesar Chavc/ founder of the United Farm Workers who passed in l'?92. Arthur Fleming, former chairman of the Civil Rights Commission; Bob Michel, currently the House Majontv leader who is retiring after over 30 years of being Congressman trom Illinois; Robert Sargent Shnver. former head of the Peace Corps and chairman of the Special Olympics and James Grant, executive director of UNICEF SKINHEADS INDICTED IN BOSTON The founder of a while siiprcmacist skinhead group which advocates using violence and oilier forms of intimidation to drive Jewish and African American citizens out of the Boston area, and the country, were arrested and indicted for conspiring to violate the rights of Jews and blacks living in suburban Boston. Brian Joseph Clayton. 20, and three juveniles were charged with arming themselves with baseball bats. Mace, bricks and other weapons and dr,\ ing on streets and iidcwalks looking for blacks to "bosh and going to malls to mtimidatc black patrons on several occasions. The skinh%ls also assaulted two young Mack girls and shouted racial ejBtets at them. ?.?.> vun ao i I.I\ V VJI I State Set-Aside Readjustment Ouestioned Rep. Vernon Sykes. president of Black Elected Democrats of Ohio, is urging the state of Ohio to appeal the court decision to reinstate Asian American Indians into the minority enterprise business program He encouraged Governor Voinivich to request Atty. General Lee Fisher to appeal the decision of Judge Tommy L. Thompson, Franklin County Court of Common Please, which concluded that AsianIndian companies are eligible to participate in the Ohio minority business enterprise program. According to Rob Bicsenbach- spokesperson. ..."The Atty General office is still reviewing the decision". Deadline for any appeal to the Ohio State Court of Appeal must be filed by August 15th. Judge Thompson's opinion is totally devoid of legal analysis, contrary to opinions of the Ohio Attorney General, the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, (on which I serve), the Ohio Inspector General. and Administrative Law astating blow to Ohioans of African ancestry, as well as other racial and ethnic groups that arc the intended beneficiaries of the Ohio MBE remedy It is imperative that you cause an appeal to be filed in the DLZ ease for the reason a failure to appeal will be a direct indication that your Administration's assistant majority floor lender and chairman of the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review offered the following discussion Recently. Judge Linton Lewis, a Common Please judge, decided in Perry County. Ohio that Ohio's system for funding education is violative of the Ohio Constitution In advance of publication of Judge Lewis' opinion, your administration, and you personally, vowed to file and appeal if Judge Lew is decided against the State of Ohio. Since the Perry County Opinion, you have advanced an commitment to fairness and racial equality is mere rhetoric Continued to Page 2 Judge Judith Bcrman Most importantly, however, the opinion constitutes a dev Talk Show Host Reveals Secrets Of Success M HUCP 80? WWW | SCH0URSH18 IMHION I SMNSOKDN i : 32 In a speech filled with humor. Dr Bcrtice Bern* told an enthusiastic audience of youth delegates to the NAACP's 85th Annual Convention that her successes as a national television talk show host were the results of community support, education and "spirituality -- talking and listening to God." The main speaker for the Roy Wilkins Scholarship Luncheon, hosted by Pepsi-Cola Company for the NAACP Youth and College Division delegates, the 32year-old Dr Berry told the gathering that when she began her talk show career she had concentrated in the wrong areas "I would spend a lot of time worrying about w hat clothes to wear and how I should style my hair." said Dr Berry, who holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Kent State University. "This worried me. I knew that God had called me to do something, and I was worrying about clothes and hair." btic said snc asked lor divine guidance and found herself "putting together my education \\ ith mv spirituality I saw that my purpose in life was to inform. to entertain and to educate."Dr Berry was introduced by Lorri Sadler. Pepsi-Cola Marketing Manager for Illinois. Ohio. Indiana. Kentucky and Missouri Ms Sadler, who also accepted a NAACP Youth and College Division award to Pepsi-Cola for Pepsi's continuing support of youth programs, holds an MBA degree in marketing from Atlanta University During Dr Berry's speech, the talk show host addressed the importance of community involvement, which she maintains is inseparable from her spiritual beliefs. She is determined to be a resource to the community that sustained and assisted her So deep do her community tics run, that she asked members of her church to accompany her when she appeared before officials at Kent State University to defend her Ph D dissertation "You have never seen a candidate defend a dissertation until you have seen him or her supported by 'the mourners bench' (of a Black Church)," Dr Berry said. "I remember saying something like '...according to calculations of the social maladjustment..' while the mourners bench kept encouraging me w ith, 'uh, huh - talk about it. baby.'" rhc Dclawarc-born Berry, who now lives in Chicago, carries her spiritual convictions with her onto her television program, where she tries to accentuate the positive and to concentrate on finding solutions to problems Dr Bern is also a talented comedian whose routines tend to focus on breaking dow n racial and gender barriers and increasing harmony and diversity."I travel frequently, and every day I'm in a different hotel." said Dr. Berry. "A couple of times, people have mistaken me for part of the housekeeping staff. The other day a man said to me. 'You can come into my room now an do your job.' So. I went in there and told him some jokes!" ? " 1 Television talk show host Dr. Bcrticc Berry, right joins Pepsi and NAACP officials prior to delivering a speech to youth delegates at the NAACP's 85th National Convention. With her are, from left: Yvonne Finnic, Director, NAACP Youth and College Division, Lorri Sadler, Marketing Manager, PepsiCola and Yasmccn Hurston, Member, National NAACP Board of Directors. Card Game Killer Sentenced To Life Prior to opening arguments in the Aggravated Murder trial of Robert Pcnn. 24 of Madison Avenue, he entered a guilty plea in the slaying of Roland Bivcns Bivens, who was only 29 years old. was gunned down outside of a Mallison Avenue residence after a dispute over a card game Prior to sentencing, Judge Patricia AKEiove gat e the family of thoHjuscd an opportunity to be nan. Gloria Bivet\ the mother of the victim Rol.-ind Bivcns. spoke on behalf of the family Mrs Bivcns. standing a few feet away from Penn in the courtroom. confronted him with her loss "You have taken my only child But more than that, youVc taken his 5 year-old son s father This year. I spent mv first Mother's bav alone 1 can't tell you what I feel about son Therecomcsatimcuhcn Ihope I can forgive von " Continue,I ti> - 1

^ L |__ k / ! S ?bE SepDrter tg? ;| ' | " ^ ^ Jjf/kl l7jkr Da.knr, J ? Akron ? Canton ? Cincinnati ? Cleveland ? Columbus ? Elyria ? Lorain ? Mansfield ? Obeiiin ? Ravenna ? Sandinky - '.Varren ? Youngstown ? Northeast Ohio VOL. XXV NO. 41 AUGUST6,1994 THRU AUGUST 1J, 1994 ?? r-rwxc hi d r r>n* ^^^^UNC^Walk^-Thoi^^^^^ I Mb ^ . . . -r . I Cleveland business leaders, along with hundreds or community supporters gathered at the Cleveland Mctropark Zoo to "Walk a Mile to Save a Mind" for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The annual walk, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch Companies, is one of many fund-raisers the company sponsors to benefit the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon. Proceeds assist UNCF and its 41-mcmbcr schools, including Wilbcrforcc University. Congratulating each other on a successful walk-a-thon (from left) arc: Barn Withers, executive assistant, office of Mayor Michael White; Mike Jones, corporate affairs central region manager, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Gail Boone, UNCF development directors, and William E. MacDonald, president and CEO, National Bank. AKA Executive Director Dr Eva L. Evans, deputy superintendent of the Lansing. Michigan public schools, is the new chief executive of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA). Inc. America's first Grcct-lctlcrcd organization for Black women She became president of the 130.(KM)-member-association at the close of its 56th national convention, held earlier this month in Indianapolis, In. As part of the seven-day conference, AKA also burned a $3.5 million mortgage on its international headquarters, donated $50,000 to the United Negro College Fund, awarded $40,000 in scholarships, show - eased award winning programs, presented biennial and annual awards, and inducted honorary members. Dr. Evans was a board of chapter officer prior to her election as AKA's first vice president in July. 1990, and has I spent the past four years pre- | paring for iicr automatic ascension She holds a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University, and master's and doctorate degrees from Michigan State University. Well known in academic circles. Dr Evans has served as a resource consultant for both the U.S. Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Education. She regularly pro\ ides insight on varied educational topics, including leadership management. effective schools, and educational management systems.Continued to Page 3 Dr. Eva L. Evans directors member, national committee chairman, and Truck Rolls Into Canal Two City of Akron workers nearly diverted a tragedy when a sewer Hcamn^nick sli|ipcd into the Ohio Canal near Channclwood Village. The two men heard a Inudamp and the clang of the truck brakes falling off w hile they were working behind the truck. sBnth men barely had time to jump out of the way while the sis ton truck rolled hackward^ito the canal*. Miraculously, Mike Roger suffered minor injuries, was treated and rcleas^Huni Akron General Medical Center. An alert camera woman, Michelle Oden, captured toirfSfcspnpanics pulling out the truckler the Thornton Street Bridge on Wednesday, August jTlW*. BLACK HUSBANDS, WIVES KILLING AT EQUAL RATES According to a recently released Justice Department study on domestic violence. African American husbands and wives arc killing one another at relatively equal rales The study found that in 53% of cases it was the husband killing the wile while in the remaining 47% it was the wife willing the husband. These percentages stand in contrast to those for white couples where nearly 70% of homicides involve tlie husband killing the wife. The report als revealed that women arc more likely than men to kill their children In fact, killing children is the only homicide categoiy in which women kill at a higher rate than men Interesting, when parents kill, men where about equally likely to kill a son or a daughter, but women were much more likely to kill a son than a daughter The study "Murder In Families" was based on an analysis of8.000 homicides in 75 metropolitan areas aituiLS atuotsi BLACKS EAT MORE FRUITS & VEGETABLES A scries of recent studies it is strongly advisable that American blacks add more fruits and vegetables tot heir diets. A four year study published List week in the New England Journal of Medicine found that vitamins C. E ana beta carotene found in fruits and vegetables significantly reduced the risks for certain types of cancels while the high fat content of many "soul" food diets raised those risks Another recent study (from the Center for Disease Control) found that black women arc the group in America most likely to be overweight In fact, the study concluded that nearly 49% of African American women are 20% or more above ideal weight Interestingly, black males were among those least likely to be obese Obesity is thought to increase one's risk for heart disease. Experts believe cutting back on land-.inimal meats and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as fish will also help combat the problem of obesity. AUGUST 29 SENTENCING SET FOR SURGEON GENERAL'S SON An August 29th sentencing date has been set for the son of Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders Kevin Elders was recently convicted of selling $275 y rth of cocaine to a police undercover officer. For that olksc he could get as much as life in prison Elders created a natfcial controversy earlier this year when she suggested that national study the legalisation of drugs. She said, "I do feel it would markedly reduce our crime rate in drugs are legalized." Others have argued that the war against drugs unfairly targets blacks and that the sentences are completely out of proportion to the seriousness of the crime, the prosecutor says he will seek a 10 year sentence MFUME'S SON ARRESTED ON RAPE CHARGE Michael Miiime - son ol' Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Kwcisi Mfumc is free on hail this week after being arrested on a charge of raping a woman in the Atlanta area after a date The elder Mfume would only say, "I believe he will be found innocent." The younger Mfumc denied the charge. No information was released about (he woman who made the allegation BLACKS IN AMERICA According to the US Census Bureau, half of the nation's African Americans live in the South. And. blacks are more than twice as likely than the rest of the population to live in central cities RICK JAMES GOES JAIL Soul and "funk" singer Rick James was sentenced to five years in prison last week after ajudgc rejected a plea to re-enter a drug rehabilitation center. Tnc 46-year-old James had been found guilty of holding a woman against her will and forcing her to perform sex acts with another woman during a five-day binge James could be released in as little as two years. His most famous hit was the 1981 song'Superfreak." OPRAH WINFREY STAYS NUMBER ONE IN TALK SHOWS According to the latest Louis Harris poll. Oprah Winfrey in America's favorite talk-show host She had a popularity rating nearly twice that of the show which came in second place - David Letterman. This is the third consecutive year that Winfrey has placed first among talk-show hosts. However, the Winfirey-typc show has come in for criticism recently. Two Penn State University researchers say the talk-shows are harming America by paying too much attention to deviant behavior DISTINGUISHED AMERICANS On Aug. 8. 1994 President Clinton will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor to nine distinguished Americans. Two of the recipients are African American women Dorothy Height is the head of the National Council of Negro Women. As a civil rights activist for half a century. Ms Height is being recognized for her work to educate and empower women and African Americans. According to tltc White House, "Ms Height can claim a role in virtually every victory of the Civil Rights Movement, and continues to strive to combat violent crime against children." Barbara Jnrd.ni is being honored for "Her work to advance civil rights and ethics in government through her service as a Congresswoman and a professor." Currently a ressor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Government at University of Texas. Jordan also serves on numerous corporate boards of directors in spite of being confined to a wheelchair. Other recipients included: Lane Kirkland. president of the AFL-CIO: Herbert Block, a cartoonist known as Herblock; Cesar Chavc/ founder of the United Farm Workers who passed in l'?92. Arthur Fleming, former chairman of the Civil Rights Commission; Bob Michel, currently the House Majontv leader who is retiring after over 30 years of being Congressman trom Illinois; Robert Sargent Shnver. former head of the Peace Corps and chairman of the Special Olympics and James Grant, executive director of UNICEF SKINHEADS INDICTED IN BOSTON The founder of a while siiprcmacist skinhead group which advocates using violence and oilier forms of intimidation to drive Jewish and African American citizens out of the Boston area, and the country, were arrested and indicted for conspiring to violate the rights of Jews and blacks living in suburban Boston. Brian Joseph Clayton. 20, and three juveniles were charged with arming themselves with baseball bats. Mace, bricks and other weapons and dr,\ ing on streets and iidcwalks looking for blacks to "bosh and going to malls to mtimidatc black patrons on several occasions. The skinh%ls also assaulted two young Mack girls and shouted racial ejBtets at them. ?.?.> vun ao i I.I\ V VJI I State Set-Aside Readjustment Ouestioned Rep. Vernon Sykes. president of Black Elected Democrats of Ohio, is urging the state of Ohio to appeal the court decision to reinstate Asian American Indians into the minority enterprise business program He encouraged Governor Voinivich to request Atty. General Lee Fisher to appeal the decision of Judge Tommy L. Thompson, Franklin County Court of Common Please, which concluded that AsianIndian companies are eligible to participate in the Ohio minority business enterprise program. According to Rob Bicsenbach- spokesperson. ..."The Atty General office is still reviewing the decision". Deadline for any appeal to the Ohio State Court of Appeal must be filed by August 15th. Judge Thompson's opinion is totally devoid of legal analysis, contrary to opinions of the Ohio Attorney General, the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, (on which I serve), the Ohio Inspector General. and Administrative Law astating blow to Ohioans of African ancestry, as well as other racial and ethnic groups that arc the intended beneficiaries of the Ohio MBE remedy It is imperative that you cause an appeal to be filed in the DLZ ease for the reason a failure to appeal will be a direct indication that your Administration's assistant majority floor lender and chairman of the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review offered the following discussion Recently. Judge Linton Lewis, a Common Please judge, decided in Perry County. Ohio that Ohio's system for funding education is violative of the Ohio Constitution In advance of publication of Judge Lewis' opinion, your administration, and you personally, vowed to file and appeal if Judge Lew is decided against the State of Ohio. Since the Perry County Opinion, you have advanced an commitment to fairness and racial equality is mere rhetoric Continued to Page 2 Judge Judith Bcrman Most importantly, however, the opinion constitutes a dev Talk Show Host Reveals Secrets Of Success M HUCP 80? WWW | SCH0URSH18 IMHION I SMNSOKDN i : 32 In a speech filled with humor. Dr Bcrtice Bern* told an enthusiastic audience of youth delegates to the NAACP's 85th Annual Convention that her successes as a national television talk show host were the results of community support, education and "spirituality -- talking and listening to God." The main speaker for the Roy Wilkins Scholarship Luncheon, hosted by Pepsi-Cola Company for the NAACP Youth and College Division delegates, the 32year-old Dr Berry told the gathering that when she began her talk show career she had concentrated in the wrong areas "I would spend a lot of time worrying about w hat clothes to wear and how I should style my hair." said Dr Berry, who holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Kent State University. "This worried me. I knew that God had called me to do something, and I was worrying about clothes and hair." btic said snc asked lor divine guidance and found herself "putting together my education \\ ith mv spirituality I saw that my purpose in life was to inform. to entertain and to educate."Dr Berry was introduced by Lorri Sadler. Pepsi-Cola Marketing Manager for Illinois. Ohio. Indiana. Kentucky and Missouri Ms Sadler, who also accepted a NAACP Youth and College Division award to Pepsi-Cola for Pepsi's continuing support of youth programs, holds an MBA degree in marketing from Atlanta University During Dr Berry's speech, the talk show host addressed the importance of community involvement, which she maintains is inseparable from her spiritual beliefs. She is determined to be a resource to the community that sustained and assisted her So deep do her community tics run, that she asked members of her church to accompany her when she appeared before officials at Kent State University to defend her Ph D dissertation "You have never seen a candidate defend a dissertation until you have seen him or her supported by 'the mourners bench' (of a Black Church)," Dr Berry said. "I remember saying something like '...according to calculations of the social maladjustment..' while the mourners bench kept encouraging me w ith, 'uh, huh - talk about it. baby.'" rhc Dclawarc-born Berry, who now lives in Chicago, carries her spiritual convictions with her onto her television program, where she tries to accentuate the positive and to concentrate on finding solutions to problems Dr Bern is also a talented comedian whose routines tend to focus on breaking dow n racial and gender barriers and increasing harmony and diversity."I travel frequently, and every day I'm in a different hotel." said Dr. Berry. "A couple of times, people have mistaken me for part of the housekeeping staff. The other day a man said to me. 'You can come into my room now an do your job.' So. I went in there and told him some jokes!" ? " 1 Television talk show host Dr. Bcrticc Berry, right joins Pepsi and NAACP officials prior to delivering a speech to youth delegates at the NAACP's 85th National Convention. With her are, from left: Yvonne Finnic, Director, NAACP Youth and College Division, Lorri Sadler, Marketing Manager, PepsiCola and Yasmccn Hurston, Member, National NAACP Board of Directors. Card Game Killer Sentenced To Life Prior to opening arguments in the Aggravated Murder trial of Robert Pcnn. 24 of Madison Avenue, he entered a guilty plea in the slaying of Roland Bivcns Bivens, who was only 29 years old. was gunned down outside of a Mallison Avenue residence after a dispute over a card game Prior to sentencing, Judge Patricia AKEiove gat e the family of thoHjuscd an opportunity to be nan. Gloria Bivet\ the mother of the victim Rol.-ind Bivcns. spoke on behalf of the family Mrs Bivcns. standing a few feet away from Penn in the courtroom. confronted him with her loss "You have taken my only child But more than that, youVc taken his 5 year-old son s father This year. I spent mv first Mother's bav alone 1 can't tell you what I feel about son Therecomcsatimcuhcn Ihope I can forgive von " Continue,I ti> - 1